It’s nice to know that Chess Life—and my column—is being read all over the world!

The following tournament game between two unrated Indonesian men, Bambang (White) and Arifin (Black), was submitted to me by John Lee on behalf of the lucky winner, Arifin, “who is not proficient in English.” John, who lives in Singapore, also suggested the title.

As usual, my comments will be in italics (John’s own comments are quite sparse).

If Black tries to hold on to material gains by 14. … Qc6, then 15. e5! d5 16. Qxc6 (Also quite effective is 16. Bxd5 when Black cannot play 16. ... Nxd5 because of 17. Qc8+).

Now if 16. … Nbxc6 17. Nxd5, and White is up in material (17. … Rc8 18. Nxc7 Rxc7 19. e6 and then 20. d5, threatening 21. d6). And after 16. … Nexc6 17. Nxd5, White has three pawns for a piece (including two mobile, advanced and central pawns) and much better development. Practically, White is winning.

15. Qxc7 Nxd4 16. Bf4 fxe4 17. Nxe4 Nd5

Also in Black’s favor was 17. … Nef5, but in that case there would be no sacrificed rooks.

18. Qa5 Nxf4 19. Nxd6

Again 19. Nxd6 gains a pawn for White.

19. ... Nfe2+

The offering of rooks begins. You may wish to analyze this position with Fritz—see any forced win? I haven’t found one.

20. Kh1 Qf8 21. Nxf7+

White takes the first poisoned rook.

22. ... Qxf7 22. Bxa8??

White takes the second poisoned rook. (Could White win the game with 22. f4?)

Of course, only the second rook was a true poison, allowing mate in two (also good was 22. ... Qf3+, mating with the bishop).

The probable reason for White’s error is his knowledge of many of the basic mating patterns getting in his way.

Now, does 22. f4 win for White? No, as material remains equal (two knights in the middlegame equal a rook and two pawns), while Black’s pieces are dominant and the White king vulnerable. In fact, Black is better, perhaps even much better. Altogether, an exciting game, and a dramatic finale.

22. ... Bf3+ 23. Bxf3 Qxf3 mate.

In the early 1990s, some Indonesian schools began teaching chess to kids, as I learned from Paul Wolfowitz, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia at that time. Judging from the game between these two unrated players, this effort was a success.

Send in your games!

If you are unrated or were rated 1799 or be­low on your Chess Life label, then GM Lev Alburt invites you to send your instructive games with notes to:

Please type or write clearly and please be sure to double-check your notations and leave ample space for GMâAlburt’s comments! Be­cause of the volume of mail, personal replies are not possible. GM Alburt will select the “most instructive” game and Chess Life will award an autographed copy of Lev’s newest book, Chess Openings for White, Explained (by Lev Alburt, Roman Dzindzi­chashvili and Eugene Perel­sh­teyn) to the person submitting the most in­structive game and annotations.